Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver (mssmbios) Service Defaults in Windows XP

The Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver
Service name:mssmbios
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\DRIVERS\mssmbios.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\mssmbios

Default Behavior

Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver is a kernel device driver. In Windows XP it won't start until the current user starts it. If the Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the mssmbios service has failed to start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver

1. Run the Command Prompt.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config mssmbios start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The mssmbios service is using the mssmbios.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows XP installation media.